There is not a thing in the world wrong with wearing blue jeans while playing pool - anywhere.
Tournament Dress Code U.S Vs the World
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
I don't care how well someone plays, I can't take them seriously when they look like they just woke up and put on yesterdays clothes.
If you have a room full of complete cue sport novices with a snooker table and a pool table - out walks SVB and Earl dressed in an un-tucked polo, jeans and sandals. On the snooker table you have Ronnie and Selby, dressed to the high heavens in a waistcoat, shirt, trousers and shiny shoes. Ask the audience in the room who they'd rather watch, who plays better and who they think looks more approachable....Ronnie and Mark will get the vast majority of the votes. Now I, as everyone else on this site knows all the mentioned players are on a par with each other in terms of skill and talent, but the non pool audience doesn't know this, they'd assume players dressed like they do in snooker for example are the professionals and the guys playing pool in jeans are decent amateurs. Its sad when darts players dress more respectable than pool players. Very sad.
I don't believe players have to dress like they're going to a prom, but a basic dress code of shirt with sponsor patches on, dark or grey trousers and a pair of black shoes wouldn't go amiss in the larger tournaments.
My father once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said a snooker player and he said right, we best go practice then. If I'd have said a snooker player, and the pros dressed like pro pool players do he'd have said don't be silly, you need a proper job.
If you have a room full of complete cue sport novices with a snooker table and a pool table - out walks SVB and Earl dressed in an un-tucked polo, jeans and sandals. On the snooker table you have Ronnie and Selby, dressed to the high heavens in a waistcoat, shirt, trousers and shiny shoes. Ask the audience in the room who they'd rather watch, who plays better and who they think looks more approachable....Ronnie and Mark will get the vast majority of the votes. Now I, as everyone else on this site knows all the mentioned players are on a par with each other in terms of skill and talent, but the non pool audience doesn't know this, they'd assume players dressed like they do in snooker for example are the professionals and the guys playing pool in jeans are decent amateurs. Its sad when darts players dress more respectable than pool players. Very sad.
I don't believe players have to dress like they're going to a prom, but a basic dress code of shirt with sponsor patches on, dark or grey trousers and a pair of black shoes wouldn't go amiss in the larger tournaments.
My father once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said a snooker player and he said right, we best go practice then. If I'd have said a snooker player, and the pros dressed like pro pool players do he'd have said don't be silly, you need a proper job.
+1 for Corey as a Sharp Dresser. We need more like him.
Actually, I made a thread about the USBTC's apparent lack of a dress code. Someone replied that "it's not a pro tournament, just a big open tournament." Well, if that's the case, then let's not call it a championship. It was pretty bad watching watching pro players on my pay per view stream who looked like they slept in their baggy jeans.
Question.....how many professional pool players have an agent? If they do, it would be the agents job to work on their image and PR. That includes dressing appropriately. I ask this because most pro players of any sport utilize agents.
The fact is that denim just doesn't look good on video and while you may argue it looks "good enough", the fact is it just doesn't photograph nearly as well as even the cheapest pair of black cotton no-iron Dockers knock-offs that can be had for $16.99 at any Walmart.
Agreed, and it just doesn't look as presentable as even a nice pair of khakis...which are at least equally as comfortable to wear.
And I say this as someone who wears jeans to work most every day (I work in a super casual office where shorts and t-shrt are the norm.....bike industry) and as someone who loves jeans, I have many pair of high-end Japanese selvedge denim jeans that each cost more than a nice LD shaft...so trust me, I'm not anti denim, just not in this context.
It looks like most on here agree that there should be a dress code for tournaments and any matches streamed. We also seem to agree that the cost of a few collared shirts, slacks, and shoes (I don't have a problem with sneakers as long as they're clean and in good shape.) Now I ask, why no dress codes? Are promoters afraid they will drive some players away? With most going to short fields, there is no problem filling them up, so now is the time to put the dress code in. Johnnyt
Players will play naked if the money right! So I doubt a promoter setting a smart-casual dress code is going to scare away big name players. So I agree, now is the time to make it happen.
Thank you. Johnnyt
Its probably too much of a headache to enforce. There will always be that one guy who shows up who didn't get the memo and will make a scene if he is not allowed in.
I was at a tournament and was told I could not play because I was wearing sandals. I few minutes later Mizerak shows up in Huge yellow terry cloth shorts like beach wear. All of a sudden the strict dress code didn't matter anymore and all of us who were not dressed right were in.
Just another thing that needs to change. I had to wear certain cloths as a nurse. If I showed up in beachwear or something other than my uniform I was sent home. Pool is about to get flushed in the U.S. All these changes could have been done over time, but now they need to change now. Fans need to get over thinking all pros are Gods. They put their pants on the same as we all do and most of us make more than most of them do. Tell one top pro he can't play because he's not dressed to code and they will all be calling the promoter for the next event to find out what the dress code is, if they don't know. johnnyt
---> :lmao: ---> :frown: Funny you should post this. When Justin was named to the Mosconi Cup, I remarked in the pool room, "that's great! Justin is a nice guy and a great young player. I just hope Mark takes him clothes shopping before the Cup". The bar table tournament in Reno was being held alongside the US Open One Pocket. They both had dress codes, although the one for the US Open was more strict. Players playing in both events would sometimes play matches back to back-I played Sean Morgan in the one pocket moments after he finished a bar table match-and because of this, the codes were not being enforced. There was, however, a very clear dress code for anyone playing on the TV table. We actually talked quite a bit about this while we were there. I agree with the op- it's not that hard to have a few polos, a couple of pairs of slacks, and some dress shoes. Corey, Shane, Scott Frost and all of the Europeans-Darren, Mika and Hohmann , off the top of my head, were dressed like pros all of the time. I actually saw Corey later that night, after his matches, dressed down in a t-shirt. It was strange to see him in anything other than professional clothes, which is a credit to him.
Amen to that, Sir ...
you should already know the answer
Because this is 'MERICA!!!!!!
Because this is 'MERICA!!!!!!
I'm one of those people who don't dress nice unless I have to. One thing I've noticed:
If I'm dressed nice, I feel more confident and play better. If I am in good physical condition, I feel more confident and play better.
I think that billiards is a sophisticated game, and I think that the dress code gives the audience more respect for those playing the game.
If I'm dressed nice, I feel more confident and play better. If I am in good physical condition, I feel more confident and play better.
I think that billiards is a sophisticated game, and I think that the dress code gives the audience more respect for those playing the game.
Pool should have headlines like this one 
Bow-tie scandal rocks snooker World Cup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_R4yF_Wnzk
Canadian Rules
http://www.cdnqsport.com/worldrules.aspx
3. Dress Code
Each player’s attire must always meet the level of the competition and be clean, proper and in good condition. If an athlete is unsure about the legality of his attire, the athlete should approach the Tournament Director or Referee before the match and ask whether the attire is legal. The Tournament Director [or Head Referee if one is present] has the final say with regards to the legality of attire. A player may be disqualified for dress code violation. If there is no announcement before the event, the CCS dress code is assumed.
The Code
http://thepoolscene.com/canadian-championships/cbsa-open-pool-championships-info-sheet/
Men’s Pool: Collared shirt, dress pants, dress shoes, and no hats.
Women’s Pool: Same dress code that WPBA has for blouses & pants, close toed dress shoes, and no hats.
Bow-tie scandal rocks snooker World Cup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_R4yF_Wnzk
Canadian Rules
http://www.cdnqsport.com/worldrules.aspx
3. Dress Code
Each player’s attire must always meet the level of the competition and be clean, proper and in good condition. If an athlete is unsure about the legality of his attire, the athlete should approach the Tournament Director or Referee before the match and ask whether the attire is legal. The Tournament Director [or Head Referee if one is present] has the final say with regards to the legality of attire. A player may be disqualified for dress code violation. If there is no announcement before the event, the CCS dress code is assumed.
The Code
http://thepoolscene.com/canadian-championships/cbsa-open-pool-championships-info-sheet/
Men’s Pool: Collared shirt, dress pants, dress shoes, and no hats.
Women’s Pool: Same dress code that WPBA has for blouses & pants, close toed dress shoes, and no hats.